Honda tweaks Civic hatch

HONDA has launched an updated version of its British-sourced Civic hatch in Australia, just seven months after the new-generation model’s debut in June last year.

The company has rectified a pair of glaring omissions, with both Bluetooth phone/audio and cruise control now standard across the range rather than just on the flagship variant.

Base VTi-S variants also pick up the previously unavailable reversing camera as standard.

However, these additions add $1400 to the price of the base VTi-S six-speed manual variant, which now retails for $20,650 plus on-road costs, while the five-speed automatic remains $2300 extra.

VTi-S variants had been priced at $19,250 since last December, but the new price is still lower than the $22,650 charged when the car was launched.

The new $20,650 starting price means the VTi-S remains more affordable than base variants of small-hatch rivals including the Holden Cruze (from $21,490), Hyundai i30 ($20,990) and Volkswagen Golf ($21,990). Other key rivals such as the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 just edge it.

The hatch is also now slightly more expensive than Honda’s own Thai-built Civic VTi sedan, which can is priced from $20,490.

Honda has also lopped $1100 from the auto-only VTi-L variant, which now retails for $25,490, but has replaced the leather seats in the MY12 model with cloth.

The leather has been migrated to the all-new $29,590 VTi-LN variant (also auto-only), which inherits the role of range flagship and adds further specification including satellite navigation with live traffic updates and a DVD player.

There are no mechanical changes, with all variants powered by the same 104kW/174Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

As reported, Honda will introduce a 88kW/300Nm 1.6-litre diesel option in the second quarter of this year.